In the Greater Toronto Area one can hear more languages than in most other parts of the world. As a result, people here are accustomed to hearing different languages and the variety of accents that come with them when immigrants speak in English. However, when a strong accent makes communication difficult, it can be socially limiting and impede a person's progress in their work.

So much of our day-to-day lives depend on our ability to effectively communicate. Many aspects of our work also require verbal communication including interviews, making presentations, telephone conversations etc. The following are just some of the people who can benefit from accent modification:

• Foreign-born professionals needing to improve their speech so they can work successfully in their field in Canada.
• Competent English speakers who have difficulty communicating their ideas on the phone or out in the community due to their accent.
• ESL speakers who lack the confidence to communicate because they fear being misunderstood.
• Foreign-born professionals looking to improve their speech for job interviews and positions that require strong spoken English skills.
• Employers looking to improve the efficiency, accuracy and effectiveness of their ESL employees' interactions with each other and with customers.
• Anyone who is frequently asked to repeat his or herself or is often misunderstood.

Sylvia Whiteside, a registered Speech-Language Pathologist, will teach you how to change the speech patterns that cross over from your native language. Within weeks you will be more aware of how to clearly pronounce English words. As you progress through the program goals that have been set up specifically for you, you will gradually find these new patterns becoming more comfortable to use and, with practise, they will become automatic in your conversational speech.